Why do I get warbling artifact/noise from the G string on passive basses?

[Chrisk-K]

No matter how hard I play the G string on my Spector, the note sounds clean. However, when I play hard the G string of my Geddy and P bass, the note contains some background warbling artifact or noise. The same thing happens with different amps and cabs, so it's the pickups. The Geddy has stock pickups and the P a '62 RI pickup. The pickup height is set to Fender's recommendation.

[BuffaloBass]

Increase the height and see if it goes away?

[joelb79]

I just put a set of EMG pickups on my P bass. The G string opened WAY up and the clarity and balance of all strings improved. If you are into that sort of sound coming from your spector, your gonna have a hard time getting it with the large winds of a single coil around dull sounding magnets. Just a thought, EMG pickups might be the way to go.

[JTE]

It sounds like it might be "Strat-itis". That's a common problem on Stratocaster guitars and some basses that use Fender-style pickups with magnetic poles. The pole pieces are very close to the string, and because the poles are actual magnets (instead of ferrous rods with the magnet under the coil like Gibson-style PUPs) the magnetic field can deflect the string just enough to pull it while it's vibrating. Because it's the magnet, it will affect the string whether you're using the PUP or not.

Try lowering the PUPs under the G string.

John

[Chrisk-K]

I lowered the pickups under the G string and the artifact is much less noticeable. I'll probably replace those pickups because I'm less into so-called vintage tones.